Madras Day 2024: Know its History, Significance, and 11 Interesting Facts

Every year on August 22nd, Madras Day is observed to commemorate the birth of the city that is today known as Chennai. This day is dedicated to one of the most famous cities in India which has a rich history, culture, and legacy. Madras Day 2024 is an opportunity to learn more about the history of the city, its roots, and the value of maintaining its legacy.

Madras நல்ல Madras! 💛
To the city where hearts meet the soul!🫶🏼
Happy 385th birthday to us! 🥳🎂#MadrasDay #WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/oQD96CFe6H

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 22, 2024

What is the History of Madras Day?

Madras Day honours the signing of the August 22, 1639, deed of grant, which is regarded as the city's founding document. Nayak rulers in the area sold a tiny strip of land to the British East India Company and Fort St. George was built on the land. 

Eventually, the current city of Madras emerged around this fort. The occasion serves as a reminder of the city's modest beginnings and growth into a thriving metropolis. In 2004, a group of city enthusiasts led by columnist Sashi Nair, historian S. Muthiah, and journalist Vincent D'Souza started celebrating Madras Day. 

The Madras Day website mentions: “A city deserves to celebrate its birthday. And Madras, that is Chennai certainly deserves it. So a small group of people who love this city launched a unique celebration in 2004. The founding day of Madras is considered to be August 22, 1639.

It was on that day, in that year, that a sliver of land, where Fort. St. George stands today, was transacted by the East India Company. The deal was struck by Francis Day, his ‘dubash’ Beri Thimmappa, and their superior, Andrew Cogan, with the local Nayak rulers. It is believed that this deal was made on August 22, 1639. Out of the fort, grew settlements. Then the villages around it were brought together. And then, the old and new towns linked up. And then we had the city.”

“Madras Day was an idea that three people put together – the city’s famed historian, S. Muthiah, journalist Sashi Nair and publisher Vincent D’ Souza. Later, they have been joined by three others – senior journalist and editor Sushila Ravindranath, journalist and website entrepreneur Revathi R and entrepreneur and writer-historian V. Sriram,” it adds. 

What is the Significance of Madras Day?

Madras Day is not only an occasion to celebrate the city's history. It's also a chance to celebrate the city's diversity, establish a sense of unity among its citizens, and connect with its history. By celebrating Madras Day, people reaffirm their commitment to preserving the city's cultural legacy and building a brighter future for generations to come.

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How is Madras Day Celebrated?

Madras Day has grown into a week-long celebration of the city's heritage with a wide range of events. These include food festivals, heritage walks, photo exhibits, and competitions open to all ages. In addition to teaching the public about the city's history, these events give its citizens a sense of pride.

• Heritage Walks: Conducted by local organisations and historians, these tours show off the city's hidden gems and architectural wonders while taking visitors around various neighbourhoods. The Georgetown and Mylapore lanes, as well as the British-era Fort St. George, are popular routes.
• Lectures and Discussions: Professionals from a range of fields offer their perspectives on the development, history, and culture of the city. Subjects frequently range from the city's involvement in the independence movement to the development of its film industry.
• Photo Exhibitions: Photographers use their cameras to capture the spirit of Chennai, presenting everything from the city's ancient structures to the energetic street life. A visual tour of the past and present of the city is provided by these exhibitions.
• Food Festivals: Traditional Tamil cuisine is served at food festivals in Chennai, along with dishes from other communities, which commemorate the city's diverse culinary scene. Chennai's cuisine is as varied as its people, ranging from spicy Chettinad chicken to the city's well-known filter coffee.

Madras = Love! 💛 #ManadhilMadras is here, and it’s all about celebrating the city that’s got our hearts!#MadrasDay #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/CYZTuaeDni

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 21, 2024

Madras Day 2024: 11 Interesting Facts 

1. According to Facts.net Chennai is the fourth largest city in India with a population of over 7 million. 
2. Chennai is known as Detroit of India 
3. The city of Chennai played a pivotal role in the railway development of South India. The first railway line in the region was constructed between Chennai and Arcot in 1856. 
4. Chennai is famously known for the dance form ‘Bharatnatyam’. 
5. Chennai boasts a rich journalistic history, housing the world's second-oldest surviving English-language newspaper. The Madras Courier, founded in 1785, continues to be published today. 
6. Chennai is renowned for its stunning coastline, featuring Covelong Beach (also known as Kovalam Beach). This expansive shoreline, stretching over 20 kilometers, ranks as the second-largest beach in the world. 
7. The city of Chennai was originally known as Madras. In 1968, the state of Madras was renamed Tamil Nadu, while the city itself retained the name Madras. It wasn't until 1996 that the city's name was officially changed to Chennai, aligning it more closely with its Tamil heritage.
8. The Madras High Court is a prominent legal institution in India, renowned for its scale and jurisdiction. The court's Madurai bench is located in Chennai and oversees legal matters within the state of Tamil Nadu. Its sprawling campus, covering a vast 107 acres, is the second-largest court complex globally, surpassed only by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in London.
9. Chennai holds the distinction of being home to India's oldest public zoo. Established in 1855 as the Madras Zoo. 
10. Chennai boasts a rich commercial history, including the country's oldest shopping mall. Spencer Plaza, located on Anna Salai, was constructed during British rule in 1863, making it a landmark in the city's retail landscape.
11. The Madras Central Prison, a historical landmark in Chennai, was among the earliest prisons established in India during British colonial rule. Founded in 1837, this institution served as a place of incarceration for centuries until its demolition in 2009.

Madras Day 2024 is more than just a celebration of a city’s founding; it is a tribute to the spirit of Chennai. It is a time to reflect on the journey from a small fishing village to a sprawling metropolis, to celebrate the cultural diversity that defines the city.

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